The protagonist of the Yu-Gi-Oh! world might be the same person.

'And judging from what I said, it seemed like they had high expectations for me and were paying special attention to me.'

"That said, both of the dark duels I started at school were indirectly influenced by Daitokuji-sensei."

The last time, it was because of the rumors that Daitokuji mentioned in the ghost story that aroused Jaden's curiosity, which led him to go to the old dormitory and encounter Titan, and have a dark duel with him.

This dangerous situation arose because of the extracurricular learning program organized by Daitoku-ji Temple.

Why do such dangerous things always happen when Daitoku-ji Temple is around? Is it just a coincidence or is he deliberately orchestrating it?

Judai confidently observed Daitokuji's expression.

"W-What's wrong, Judai?"

Daitoku-ji's expression became somewhat unnatural under the intense gaze. 'Oh no, am I being suspected?'

After watching for a while, Judai looked away and said, "It's nothing."

However, in her heart she thought, 'This is very suspicious, and Master Daitokuji is hiding dark power.'

The dark power was well hidden, but he still sensed it.

Although he didn't know what Daitokuji's purpose was, there was no evidence to prove that he had bad intentions, so Judai had no choice but to remain vigilant.

As they pondered, the three suns in the sky merged into one, and the green light around the stone archway flashed again, instantly engulfing everyone.

......

Judai suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils refocusing, and found that they had returned to the entrance of the dilapidated ruins.

At the same time, he felt a heaviness in his right shoulder.

He turned his head and saw Asuka leaning against him. Smelling the girl's faint fragrance, Jaden felt a little distracted.

"Are we back?"

Asuka woke up at this moment and found herself pressed against Jaden's body, but she did not show any shyness, as if she had gradually gotten used to the intimacy between the two.

Judai also tacitly avoided bringing up the topic, and instead answered her question with a smile: "Yes, we're back, Asuka."

The two looked at each other, and the surroundings seemed to fall silent.

They didn't continue speaking; everything was understood without words, as if their relationship had been established long ago.

......

Inside a gloomy cave that looked like a gathering place for villains.

The group was listening to a dry, lifeless voice, like the instructions of a frail old man on his deathbed.

"The time is ripe. Your strength, in accordance with my agreement, will allow you to move those three cards of destiny."

Who should lead the charge?

A man wearing a black mask and a black trench coat stood up inside the cave: "I'll go."

"Darkness...Okay, you're the one."

The aged voice called out the person's name.

......

School was in session as usual on a certain day.

After class, Judai was about to leave when Daitokuji called him back, saying he wanted to go to the principal's office with him, and of course, he wasn't alone.

Even Asuka, Manjoume, and a certain passerby were called out, making Jaden somewhat curious about what was going on.

In the blink of an eye, Judai and his group, having received the message, arrived at the principal's office.

Looking around the room, he found that everyone there was familiar: Asuka, Manjoume, Misawa, Daitokuji, Chronos, Kaiser Ryo, and himself, a total of seven people.

Upon seeing Qi Ren, Principal Samejima coughed before slowly speaking, "Have you heard of the Three Phantom Demon Cards?"

Jaden asked in confusion, "The Three Egyptian God Cards, which are the opposite of the Three Egyptian Gods?"

The bald principal nodded and continued, "Yes, in fact, according to legend, the Three Phantom Demon Cards were sealed on this island, and the three cards have been passed down since ancient times."

"Hey~, does this island have such a long history?"

"This school was originally built on the site where those three cards were sealed."

“Hey—!”

Everyone was shocked by the news.

Seeing their stunned expressions, Principal Samejima was very satisfied, and then continued, "The three Phantom Demons are sleeping deep beneath the school."

"According to the island's legend, when those cards reappear on the surface, the world will be surrounded by monsters, chaos will cover everything, the darkness that has been corrupting people will be released, and the world will be destroyed and returned to nothingness."

Judai stroked his chin and asked, "So why did the principal and teachers call us here? Is it related to these three cards?"

At this moment, the principal's expression turned very serious: "I have received information that the people and organizations that want those cards have begun to take action, intending to seize the key that can unseal those cards."

Marufuji Ryo asked, "Who exactly are those people?"

"The Seven Stars are seven duelists known as the 'Seven Stars'."

Chapter Sixty VS Darkness

Shidai asked curiously, "Seven Stars, who are those seven people?"

Principal Samejima shook his head helplessly. "I don't know. They are seven completely mysterious people."

"However, one of them has already arrived on the island."

Misawa: "What did you say?"

Asuka: "But how do we break the seal?"

"This is the task I'm assigning to you five. Lu..." ×≌.=二≡∴

As he spoke, the principal placed a box on the table.

"The Three Phantom Demon Cards are sealed in the ruins beneath the school. To open the switch known as the Seven Star Gate, these seven keys are needed."

"Now, I am going to give you these seven keys, and I hope you will protect them."

After saying that, he lifted the lid of the box, revealing seven oddly shaped golden keys that could be perfectly arranged into a rectangle.

Manjoume asked in confusion, "Even if you say you'll protect me, how exactly will you do it?"

The principal answered with certainty, "Of course, through a duel."

As expected, a duel was inevitable.

"At that time, the Seven Stars will challenge the person who holds the key to the Seven Stars Gate through a duel. This is a ritual that has been passed down on this island since ancient times. It cannot be done by force or other means alone."

"To ensure safety, I've decided to entrust them to the best of you among the school's duelists."

He coughed. "Duelists who possess these seven keys, go and challenge them. If you are prepared to fight the 'Seven Stars,' then I hope you will accept these keys and become heroic young men who maintain world peace."

Apart from Judai, everyone else was clearly convinced by this inspirational message.

"Interesting. I never expected so many interesting things to happen on this island."

Jaden was the first to take a key out of the box and put it around his neck: "To be honest, I'm a little tempted. Saving the world like the Duel King wouldn't be bad."

Once one was chosen, another followed suit, and everyone else picked out a key and hung it around their necks.

"Very good, thank you everyone. From this moment on, the battle with the Seven Stars begins."

"Be prepared to fight them at any time, and make sure to protect the Three Phantom Demon Cards and the key to the Seven Star Gate."

......

That night, Judai was fast asleep in his dormitory.

At the same time, Asuka was still worried about what happened during the day and decided to talk to Judai about it.

Just as she was about to reach the Red Dormitory, she suddenly saw a strange purple beam of light shooting out from one of the rooms.

"Tenth generation!?"

Seeing this, Asuka didn't have time to think and quickly ran over.

Soon, she opened the door to the glowing room and barged inside.

"Ten generations!"

The moment she entered the room, she saw Judai standing in the strangely lit room.

"Asuka?"

Just as Judai was about to speak, a flash of white light appeared in the room, and the scene changed instantly.

"here it is?"

Looking around at the scene, it resembled a volcano crater.

They were standing on an energy platform that had inexplicably appeared above the magma.

Upon seeing this, Judai was wide awake.

Judai said solemnly, "This is the power of darkness. Someone has teleported us into the volcano on this island."

Asuka felt extremely uneasy: "Could it be someone from the Seven Stars?"

"The possibility is very high..."

Judai turned to look ahead: "Shouldn't they be showing themselves soon? Who brought us here on purpose?"

Just then, a fire dragon flew out of the lava and landed on the energy platform, turning into raging flames.

The next second, a figure emerged from the firelight. The person wore a black mask and a stylish black trench coat.

Judai stared intently at him and demanded, "Who are you?"

The man immediately replied, "My name is 'Darkness,' one of the 'SevenStars.'"

"So, he really is one of the Seven Stars..."

"Yuki Judai, you will be my first opponent."

As soon as he finished speaking, a faint golden light suddenly shone from Darkness and Judai's chests.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that it was the half of a pendant that the chief of the tomb had given to him, and it was now glowing, as if responding to something.

So he looked across and noticed that the pendant on the other person's chest was the other half.

"Could it be?"

Judai realized something; perhaps this person was the one the head of the graveyard had mentioned.

At this point, Darkness continued, "I was guided here by the light of this fragment."

"Although I don't know why, what I want more is the Seven Star Gate key on your chest. I'm here to take your key away."

'This person's voice sounds familiar.'

From the moment she started speaking, Asuka felt that she had heard the voice of the person in front of her somewhere before. However, since she couldn't remember whose voice it was, she didn't bother Judai.

Darkness: "Alright, let's begin our dark duel."

Jaden clenched his fist: "So it's still a duel in darkness after all?"

"Yes, the Dark Duel has begun, and the loser's soul will be sealed in this card."

As he spoke, he held up a blank Normal Monster card. The card was entirely black, and a thick layer of darkness enveloped the card.

"Between our souls... no, our lives, we will wager our lives in this duel. This is my Dark Duel."

"Then let's settle this once and for all, Darkness!"

Jaden sets up his deck on the Duel Disk and unfolds it.

......

"Duel!!" ×2

[Yujo Judai: LP4000]

【Darkness: LP4000】

Darkness won the first round.

"I'll attack first and draw the card!"

[Darkness cards in hand: 5→6]